Narrow row head unit

ABSTRACT

A method for creating a narrow row head unit which may include a back plate secured to a left gearbox and a right gearbox, and which gearboxes may be positioned adjacent one another. Each gearbox may provide rotational power to a pair of stalk rolls and a drive sprocket for a gathering chain. A right mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and the right gearbox, and a left mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and left gearbox. A right plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the right mounting tab and a left plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the left mounting tab. A narrow row head unit positioned left-of-center on a header may have the gathering chain positioned substantially over the right plate, and right-of-center substantially over the left plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from and is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/486,595 filed Sep. 15, 2014, whichapplication was a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/094,387, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,863,487, filed on Dec. 2, 2013, which applicationclaimed priority from provisional U.S. Pat. App. No. 61/732,246 filed onNov. 30, 2012, all of which are incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to corn harvesting machinery, specifically theheader containing a plurality of row units to strip the ears from thestalk and feed the ears to the harvester for shelling.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to develop or create the disclosed invention.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has been a plurality of variations of adjustable width headers foruse with harvesters and some of these headers, with adjustable rowunits, have been in existence for approximately 25 years. The originalcorn head for use with a harvester was with fixed spacing between therow units and this design was embodied in U.S. Reissued Pat. No. 27,554,which was originally issued in 1966. Subsequently, it was determinedthat a header in which the width between the row units could be variedto match the various widths of corn rows was desirable. Severalembodiments of this variable row width header were and are stillmarketed. These headers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,121patented Jul. 14, 1970, one of the early headers which permitted themodification of row widths in the field. Another narrow row header isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,202, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

During the past 25 to 30 years since the introduction of the variablerow-width planters and headers, much research and development hasoccurred in the agronomics of the growing of corn. This research hasconcentrated on reaching the maximum population by varying row widthsand spacing between plants. The original corn head and row units wereand are capable of harvesting row widths between 28 and 40 inches.

Recently, 12-15 inch rows of corn with varied spacing have been studiedfor yields and other agronomic affects. Such narrow row widths provideimproved erosion control, higher population, higher yield, and betterweed control. The narrow rows require less chemical use and in somecases utilize only one-half of much weed control. All of these factorsbenefit the environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered limited of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical harvester and header.

FIG. 2A is a left-side perspective view of a first embodiment of narrowrow head unit according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a right-side perspective view of a first embodiment of narrowrow head unit according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2C is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of a narrowrow head unit according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a left-side perspective view of the embodiment of the narrowrow head unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various components havebeen removed for clarity (hood and stalk rolls).

FIG. 3B is a right-side perspective view of the embodiment of the narrowrow head unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various components havebeen removed for clarity.

FIG. 3C is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the narrow rowhead unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various components have beenremoved for clarity.

FIG. 3D is a front view of the embodiment of the narrow row head unitshown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various components have been removed forclarity.

FIG. 3E is a top view of the embodiment of the narrow row head unitshown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various components have been removed forclarity.

FIG. 4A is a left-side perspective view of the embodiment of the narrowrow head unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additionalcomponents have been removed for clarity (hood, SR, GC, GC sprockets,block, idler tensioner hardware).

FIG. 4B is a right-side perspective of the embodiment of the narrow rowhead unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additional componentshave been removed for clarity.

FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the narrow rowhead unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additional componentshave been removed for clarity.

FIG. 4D is a partial exploded view of the embodiment of the narrow rowhead unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additional componentshave been removed for clarity (ear guides and nose pieces pulled apart).

FIG. 4E is a top view of the embodiment of the narrow row head unitshown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additional components have beenremoved for clarity.

FIG. 5A is a left perspective view of the embodiment of the narrow rowhead unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additional componentshave been removed for clarity (hood, SR, GC, GC sprockets, block, idlertensioner hardware, all ear guide hardware).

FIG. 5B is a right-side perspective view of the embodiment of the narrowrow head unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additionalcomponents have been removed for clarity.

FIG. 5C is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the narrow rowhead unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additional componentshave been removed for clarity.

FIG. 5D is a partial exploded view of the embodiment of the narrow rowhead unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B wherein various additional componentshave been removed for clarity (frame pieces and stalk roll collarexploded).

FIG. 6A is a right-side perspective view of the embodiment of the narrowrow head unit shown in FIGS. 2A & 2B in which one right-handed narrowrow head unit is positioned adjacent a center member and two left-handednarrow row head units are positioned opposite the center member whereinvarious components have been removed for clarity (like FIG. 3A but withmultiple row units).

FIG. 6B is a left-side perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG.6A.

FIG. 6C is a bottom perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIGS.6A & 6B.

FIG. 6D is a top view of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIG. 7A is a bottom perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of anactuated stripper plate and some associated components, which actuatedstripper plate may be used with certain embodiments of a narrow row headunit.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A showing themovement of the actuated stripper plate with respect to the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ELEMENT LISTING

ELEMENT DESCRIPTION ELEMENT # Header 10 Divider 11a Hood 11b Auger 12Lower beam 14 Stalk roll 16 Stripper plate 18 Actuated stripper plate18′ Recess 18a′ Finger slot 18b′ Ear guide 20 Ear guide external surface20a Ear guide channel 21 Channel top 21a Channel bottom 21b Ear guidetab 24 Divider mounting tab 25 Mounting tab cap 25a Hood pin 26a Dividerpin 26b Chain guide 27 Chain guide ridge 27a Extractor 28 Gatheringchain 30 Paddle 32 Drive sprocket 34 Idler sprocket 36 Idler block 37Tensioner 38 Left gearbox 40a Right gearbox 40b Gearbox left side 42aGear box right side 42b Gearbox bottom surface 44 Cover/partial cover 45Gearbox mounting surface 46 Gearbox cap 48 Cap leg 48a Frame 60 Backplate 61 Recess 61a Left plate 62a Rotator tab 62aa Finger slot 62aa′Right plate 62b Right rotator tab 62bb Right finger slot 62bb′ Noseplate 63 Left leg 64a Right leg 64b Leg slot 64b′ Support plate 65 Leftmounting tab 66a Right mounting tab 66b Support arm 68 Leg connector 68aLower beam connector 68b Aperture 68c Narrow row head unit 100 Centermember 102 Center member support 104 Actuator 110 Rod 112 Arm 114 Armbushing 114a Arm recess 114b Arm slot 114c Rotator 115 Finger 116 Fingerdistal end 116a Finger slot 116b

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that phraseology and terminology used herein with referenceto device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like“front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are onlyused to simplify description of the present invention, and do not aloneindicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have aparticular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”,and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes ofdescription and are not intended to indicate or imply relativeimportance or significance.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1provides a perspective view of a typical harvester with a header 10attached thereto, wherein the header 10 is specifically configured foruse with harvesting corn. As shown, the header 10 may generally includean auger 12 adjacent the harvester and a plurality of dividers 11 a andcorresponding hoods 11 b. Unless otherwise stated, as used herein,“left” and “right” are generally defined from the perspective of a cornplant positioned directly in front of the harvester as opposed to theperspective of the operator of a harvester.

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide perspective views of a first illustrativeembodiment of a narrow row head unit 100. Although the variousillustrative embodiments of a narrow row head unit 100 pictured anddescribed herein are primarily adapted for use in harvesting corn, thespecific crop and/or plant for which the narrow row head unit 100 isconfigured in no way limits the scope of the present disclosure. Thenarrow row head unit 100 may include a divider 11 a, hood 11 b, and earsaver (not shown) positioned over a portion of the internal componentsof the narrow row head unit 100. The ear saver may be configuredsubstantially as a planar member extending outward from an area adjacentthe interface between the divider 11 a and hood 11 b. The ear saver 11 cmay be oriented such that it resides in a generally vertical plane thatis substantially normal to the direction of travel of the harvesterduring operation. The ear saver may serve to mitigate the likelihood ofan ear of corn falling forward away from the harvester during operation.The ear saver may be integrally formed with the divider 11 a and/or hood11 b, or it may be separately formed and later engaged with either thedivider 11 a and/or hood 11 b without limitation. Additionally, thepresence, shape, or configuration of a divider 11 a, hood 11 b, and/orear saver in no way limits the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown, a pair of stalk rolls 16 may be engaged with respective stalkroll drive shafts (not shown) protruding from a gearbox 40 a, 40 b,which gearbox 40 a, 40 b may provide rotational energy to the stalk rolldrive shafts and gathering chain 30 via a drive sprocket 34. The gearbox40 a, 40 b may receive rotational power from the harvester. Stripperplates 18, 18′ may be rigidly affixed above the stalk rolls 16, or oneor more of the stripper plates 18, 18′ may be configured as an actuatedstripper plate 18′, ad described in detail below. The generalconfiguration and operation of a header 10 will not be discussed furtherherein for purposes of brevity.

FIGS. 3A-3E show the first illustrative embodiment of a narrow row headunit 100 with the divider 11 a, hood 11 b, and stalk rolls 16 removedfor purposes of clarity. FIGS. 4A-4E show that embodiment of a narrowrow head unit wherein the mounting tab cap 25 a, hood pin 26 a, dividerpin 26 b, gathering chain 30, drive sprocket 34, idler sprocket 36,idler block 37, tensioner 38, back plate 61, and associated mountingcomponents also have been removed for purposes of clarity. FIGS. 5A, 5B,and 5D show that embodiment of a narrow row head unit wherein thestripper plates 18, 18′, ear guide 20, ear guide tab 24, dividermounting tabs 25, chain guide 27, and extractor 28 also have beenremoved for purposes of clarity. In FIG. 5c , the support plate 65 alsohas been removed for clarity.

The divider 11 a may be configured with a valley therein on the internalsurface (not shown) such that when the divider 11 a is positioned on thenarrow row head unit 100, the divider 11 a may be self-locating via theinteraction between the valley and a divider pin 26 b. The divider pin26 b may be formed with an aperture therein that corresponds to anaperture in the divider 11 a to secure the position of the divider 11 awith respect to the other components of the narrow row head unit 100 inconjunction with a divider mounting tab cap 25 a positioned toward thefront of the narrow row head unit 100. The divider mounting tab cap 25 amay be engaged with one or more divider mounting tabs 25, which in turnmay be engaged with the left plate 62 a, right plate 62 b, and/or noseplate 63 as described in detail below with respect to an illustrativeembodiment of a frame 60. The hood 11 b may be secured and located in asimilar manner using a hood pin 26 a alone or in conjunction with hoodmounting tabs. Any other suitable structure and/or methods may be usedto secure and/or locate the divider 11 a and/or hood 11 b with respectto other components of the narrow row head unit 100 without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Unlike most prior art headers 10, the narrow row head unit 100 asdisclosed herein uses just one gathering chain 30 per row of crop. Thegathering chain 30 may have a plurality of paddles 32 affixed thereto topush ears of corn toward the harvester during operation. A drivesprocket 34 positioned generally near the rearward end of the narrow rowhead unit 100 may receive rotational energy from a gearbox 40 a, 40 band communicate that rotational energy to the gathering chain 30. Anidler sprocket 36 may be intermeshed with the gathering chain 30 at theforward end of the narrow row head unit 100 adjacent an idler block 37.A tensioner 38 (best shown in FIG. 3B) may dictate the position of theidler sprocket 36 along the length of the narrow row head unit 100 so asto allow the user to manipulate the tension of the gathering chain 30.

Generally, it is contemplated that a narrow row head unit 100 may beconfigured for optimal placement to the right or left of a center member102 when a plurality of narrow row head units 100 are arranged adjacentone another. From the vantage of the operator of a harvester, the narrowrow head unit shown in FIGS. 2A-5D is optimally configured for placementon the right side of a center member 102. Accordingly, it iscontemplated that from the vantage shown in FIG. 3A it will be optimalfor the gathering chain 30 to travel in a direction that iscounterclockwise.

As best shown in FIG. 3A, the ear guide 20 may be formed with an earguide channel 21 along the length thereof. In the first illustrativeembodiment, this ear guide channel 21 provides space for the paddles 32of the gathering chain 30 as the paddles 32 return to the front of thenarrow row head unit 100 during operation. In the illustrativeembodiment, the ear guide channel 21 may be generally bound by a channeltop 21 a and channel bottom 21 b, both of which may be covered by thedivider 11 a and/or hood 11 b during operation. However, in otherembodiments the channel top 21 a and/or channel bottom 21 b may not berequired. The ear guide external surface 20 a may work in conjunctionwith the paddles 32 and stripper plates 18 of an adjacent narrow rowhead unit 100 to guide the ears of corn toward the harvester. A chainguide 27 may be positioned in the gathering chain 30 envelop (best shownin FIG. 3B) to properly route the gathering chain 30 over the stripperplate(s) 18, 18′. The chain guide 27 may be formed with a chain guideshelf 27 a adjacent a top surface thereof to mitigate the possibility ofthe gathering chain 30 moving out of the plane in which it typicallytravels.

The tensioner 38 may be engaged with the chain guide 27 at one endthereof and the idler block 37 at the other end thereof. As previouslymentioned, the tensioner 38 may be configured to allow adjustability ofthe distance between the drive sprocket 34 and idler sprocket 36 of thegathering chain 30. In the illustrative embodiment, this adjustabilitymay be provided by configuring the idler sprocket 36 so that it pivotswith respect to the idler block 37. The idler block 37 may be configuredsuch that it is slidable with respect to the frame 60 of the narrow rowhead unit 100 along the length thereof. The tensioner 38, in turn, mayengage the idler block 37 such that the position of the idler block 37(in at least one direction along the length of the frame 60) may bebound its engagement with the tensioner 38. This adjustability may allowthe narrow row head unit 100 to be configured with a drive sprocket 34and/or idler sprocket 36 having a narrower diameter than similarcomponents found in prior art header row units, which may require adifferent length gathering chain 30 than those found in the prior art.The scope of the present disclosure is in no way limited by thestructure and/or method used to adjust the tension of the gatheringchain 30, and any suitable structure and/or method suitable therefor maybe used without limitation.

An ear guide tab 24 may be positioned adjacent the front end of the earguide 20 to help properly position corn plants for harvesting. The earguide tab 24 may operate in conjunction with the paddles 32 on thegathering chain 30 positioned on the adjacent narrow row head unit 100.That is, the ear guide 20 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B may cooperate not withthe gathering chain 30 pictured (which may be driven by a drive sprocket34 powered by the right gearbox 40 b), but with a gathering chain 30intermeshed with a drive sprocket 34 from an adjacent narrow row headunit. The gathering chain 30 on the adjacent narrow row head unit 100(not shown in FIG. 3) may be configured to receive rotational energyfrom the left gearbox 40 a (not shown, but positioned adjacent thegearbox left side 42 a as shown in FIG. 3D) of the narrow row head unit100 pictured in FIG. 3B (which gearbox 40 a, 40 b may constitute theright gearbox 40 b of the adjacent narrow row head unit 100 not shown inFIG. 3).

The ear guide tab 24 may be integrally formed with the ear guide 20and/or any other portion of the narrow row head unit 100 that issuitable. Alternatively, the ear guide tab 24 may be separatelyconstructed and later secured to the ear guide 20 or other portion ofthe narrow row head unit 100. Generally, the ear guide tab 24 mayprevent the buckling or folding of corn plants due to engagement withthe front end of the narrow row head unit 100 (typically referred to as“hair pinning”) and instead help to guide corn plants to an area betweencorresponding stripper plates 18, 18′.

The ear guide 20 may be engaged with the chain guide 27 via an extractor28, which may be generally J-shaped as shown in the first illustrativeembodiment of the narrow row head unit 100. The extractor 28 may serveto add structural integrity to the narrow row head unit 100. Also, itmay be positioned close enough to the back plate 31 (see FIG. 3A) suchthat ears of corn engaged with a paddle 32 when the paddle 32 ispositioned over the back plate 61 are urged away from the drive sprocket34 due to contact with the extractor 28. The ear guide 20, chain guide27, and extractor 28 may be constructed of any suitable material,including but not limited to metal, metal alloys, cellulosic or othernatural materials, synthetic materials such as nylon or other polymers,and/or combinations thereof.

The ear guide channel 21 may be configured to allow the overall width ofthe narrow row head unit 100 to be reduced and give the operatorflexibility in the size of the drive sprocket 34 and idler sprocket 36used in the narrow row head unit 100, as previously described above. Inthe first illustrative embodiment, the drive sprocket 34 may be formedwith six teeth and the idler sprocket 36 may be formed with seven teeth.This allows for a suitable resultant speed ratio between the stalk rolls16 and gathering chain 30 using the stock internal components of a JohnDeere gearbox 40 a, 40 b. However, because the narrow row head unit 100requires only a single gathering chain 30, the gearbox 40 a, 40 b may becut on one side thereof to eliminate the portion associated with thesecond gathering chain 30. Accordingly, a gearbox 40 a, 40 b configuredfor use with a narrow row head unit 100 may include one horizontal powerinput (from the harvester), two horizontal power outputs (for the stalkrolls 16), and one vertical power output (for the drive sprocket 34).

For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the right gearbox 40 b may have nogathering chain 30 associated with the gearbox right side 42 b. However,if the gearboxes 40 a, 40 b are configured for position on the left sideof a center member 102 (from the vantage of the operator of a harvester)then the gearbox 40 a, 40 b may be configured such that there is nogathering chain 30 associated with the gearbox left side 42 a (i.e., nosource of rotational power emanating from the gearbox 40 a, 40 b toprovide rotational energy to a drive sprocket 34). This configuration isshown in FIG. 6C, which provides a bottom perspective view of oneright-handed narrow row head unit 100 (from the vantage of the operatorof the harvester) separated from two adjacent left-handed narrow rowhead units 100 (from the vantage of the operator of the harvester) by aby a center member 102.

In other embodiments, the gearboxes 40 a, 40 b may be specificallymanufactured for use with the narrow row head unit 100 according to thepresent disclosure. In such embodiments it is contemplated that thewidth of the narrow row head unit 100 may be reduced compared to thewidth of the illustrative embodiments pictured herein. Additionally, insuch embodiments the engagement points for other elements of the narrowrow head unit 100 may be different than shown for the illustrativeembodiments pictured herein, which may serve to optimize the structuralrigidity of the narrow row head unit 100.

In other embodiments of the narrow row head unit 100, the size of thedrive sprocket 34 and/or idler sprocket 36 may be larger or smallerdepending upon the internal speed ratio of the gearbox 40 a, 40 b. Forexample, if the gearbox 40 a, 40 b is configured internally such thatthe rotational speed of the drive sprocket 34 drive shaft (not shown) ishigher than in the illustrative embodiment, the drive sprocket 34 may beformed with five or fewer teeth, and the idler sprocket 36 may be formedwith six or fewer teeth, further reducing the width of the narrow rowhead unit 100. Such an embodiment may require that the gathering chain30 be modified to allow for such a drive sprocket 34 and idler sprocket36 (e.g., by reducing the number of links in the gathering chain 30, bychanging the size and/or shape of the paddles 32, etc.).

It is contemplated that the first illustrative embodiment of a narrowrow head unit 100 shown in FIGS. 2A-5D may be more suitable forplacement on the right side of the header 10 (from the vantage of theoperator of a harvester), wherein the gathering chain 30 is generallypositioned over the right plate 62 b and right leg 64 b. This is becausethe direction of rotation of the gathering chain 30 in such aconfiguration results in the paddles 32 adjacent the rear surface of thedrive sprocket 34 to travel in a direction opposite of the direction oftravel of the auger 12. Generally such a configuration results insuperior transportation of the ears of corn from the gathering chain 30to the auger 12 and may help to dislodge ears of corn from the gatheringchain 30 into the auger 12. However, other configurations may be usedwithout limitation. It is contemplated that all narrow row head units100 positioned on the right side of a center member 102 (from thevantage of the operator of a harvester) on the header 10 may be soconfigured. It is also contemplated that for certain embodiments ofheader 10 having a plurality of narrow row head units 100 thereon thatall narrow row head units 100 positioned on the left side of a centermember 102 (from the vantage of the operator of a harvester) may beconfigured such that the gathering chain 30 rotates in the oppositedirection (i.e., clockwise from the vantage shown in FIG. 3A), with theear guide 20, chain guide 27 and other components modified accordingly(which may appear generally as a mirror image to that shown in FIG. 3A),which is shown in FIGS. 6A-6D and described in detail below.

Two adjacent narrow row head units 100 generally configured forplacement on the left side of a center member 102 (from the vantage ofthe operator of a harvester) are shown next to a center member 102,which center member 102 is also adjacent one narrow row head unit 100generally configured for placement on the right side of a center member102 (from the vantage of the operator of a harvester). For example, inthe narrow row head unit 100 shown in FIGS. 2A-5D (which is configuredfor optimal placement to the right of a center member 102 (from thevantage of the operator of a harvester)), the gathering chain 30 may bepositioned substantially over the right plate 62 b, as shown in FIGS. 4A& 4B. Additionally, this narrow row head unit 100 may be configured suchthat the rotational power for the drive sprocket 34 emanates closer tothe gearbox left side 42 a as opposed to the gearbox right side 42 b.However, in a narrow row head unit 100 configured for optimal positionto the left of a center member 102 (from the vantage of the operator ofa harvester), the gathering chain 30 may be positioned substantiallyover the left plate 62 a. Additionally, this narrow row head unit 100may be configured such that the rotational power for the drive sprocket34 emanates closer to the gearbox right side 42 b as opposed to thegearbox left side 42 a.

A front view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is shown in FIG.3D. As is evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of FIG.3D, a plurality of gearboxes 40 a, 40 b may be positioned adjacent oneanother to form a plurality narrow row head units 100. The gearboxes 40a, 40 b may be configured with a gearbox left side 42 a and a gearboxright side 42 b, as previously referenced herein. As shown in FIGS.6A-6D, adjacent gearboxes 40 a, 40 b on a given side of a center member102 may be configured such that the gearbox right side 42 b of the leftgearbox 40 a is adjacent to the left side 42 a of the right gearbox 40b. However, as previously described, a left gearbox 40 a of a firstnarrow row head unit 100 may be configured as the right gearbox 40 b ofa second narrow row head unit 100 that is immediately adjacent to theleft of the first narrow row head unit 100. The gearboxes 40 a, 40 b mayalso be formed with a gearbox bottom surface 44 as clearly shown inFIGS. 3C, 4C, and 5C. The gearbox bottom surface 44 may engage one ormore covers 45 and/or partial covers 45 to allow access to the interiorof the gearbox 40 a, 40 b.

The gearboxes 40 a, 40 b may also be configured with a gearbox mountingsurface 46 onto which one or more gearbox caps 48 and/or partial gearboxcaps 48 may be engaged (as shown in FIGS. 3C, 4C, and 5C). The gearboxcap 48 may seal one side of the gearbox 40 a, 40 b from the externalenvironment and help to properly locate and/or support the stalk rolldrive shafts (not shown). The gearbox cap 48 may also provide cap legs48 a and/or other structure to engage and/or assist in engaging thegearbox 40 a, 40 b and/or other components of the narrow row head unit100 to a lower beam 14 to which multiple gearboxes 40 a, 40 b and/ornarrow row head units 100 may be mounted.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5D, an illustrative embodiment of a firstframe 60 will be described. Generally, the illustrative embodiment of aframe 60 may include a back plate 61 (which is shown clearly in FIGS.3A-3E), left and right plates 62 a, 62 b, left and right legs 64 a, 64b, left and right mounting tabs 66 a, 66 b, a nose plate 63, and atleast one support plate 65. It is to be understood that the illustrativeembodiment of a frame 60 as pictured and described herein is forillustrative purposes only, and in no way limits the scope of the narrowrow head unit 100 as disclosed and claimed herein. Furthermore, thevarious components of the frame 60 (and, more generally, the narrow rowhead unit 100) may be separately formed and later engaged with oneanother, or they may be integrally formed. Accordingly, themanufacturing and/or fabrication methods and/or techniques used for thenarrow row head unit 100 and/or various components thereof in no waylimits the scope of the present disclosure.

The left plate and leg 62 a, 64 a (and right plate and leg 62 b, 64 b)may be configured to form a box or U-channel, or may cooperate with asupport plate 65 to form a suitable structure to provide adequatestructural integrity and rigidity to the narrow row head unit 100,either alone or in combination with other components thereof. The leftand right plates 62 a, 62 b may be configured as angled members having aflat portion and a horizontal portion, as shown in the illustrativeembodiment. As previously mentioned, the various components may beformed as one integral structure, or they may be formed separately andlater engaged with one another. The specific application of the narrowrow head unit 100 may dictate the specific configuration of plates 62 a,62 b, legs 64 a, 64 b, support plates 65, and/or other components of thenarrow row head unit 100, and therefore the specific configurationthereof in no way limits the scope of the present disclosure.

Still referring now to FIGS. 5A-5D, an illustrative embodiment of aframe 60 may be secured to a right gearbox 40 b and a gearbox 40 a, 40 bpositioned adjacent to the gearbox right side 42 b of the right gearbox40 b. As previously explained, it is contemplated that the frame 60shown in FIGS. 5A-5D may be optimal for placement on the right side of acenter member 102 (from the vantage of the operator of a harvester).Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an analogousframe 60 may be configured for optimal placement on the left side of acenter member (from the vantage of the operator of a harvester), andthat a frame 60 so configured may have components that are substantiallya mirror image of those shown in FIGS. 5A-5D. It is contemplated thatfor some applications it will be advantageous to secure the back plate61 of one frame 60 to the left and right plates 62 a, 62 b, left andright legs 64 a, 64 b, left and right mounting tabs 66 a, 66 b, supportplate(s) 65, and/or adjacent left and right gearboxes 40 a, 40 b viawelding, bolts, or any other suitable method and/or structure forsecuring the various components to one another. As shown in FIG. 3D, anillustrative embodiment of a back plate 61 may extend outward from aright gearbox 40 b such that the back plate 61 may be engaged with theleft gearbox 40 a of an adjacent narrow row head unit 100.

In some embodiments, a support arm 68 may be used to add structuralintegrity and/or rigidity to the narrow row head unit 100. The supportarm 68 may be formed with one or more leg connectors 68 a for engagementof the support arm 68 with the left and/or right legs 64 a, 64 b. Thesupport arm 68 may also be formed with one or more lower beam connectors68 b. As with other components of the frame 60, the support arm 68 maybe integrally formed with one or more leg connectors 68 a and/or lowerbeam connectors 68 b, or those components may be separately formed andlater engaged with one another without limitation. The support arm 68may also be formed with one or more apertures 68 c therein. At least oneaperture 68 may be configured to accommodate a rod 112 in embodiments ofthe narrow row head unit 100 having an actuated stripper plate 18′, asdescribed in detail below.

The forward ends of the left and right legs 64 a, 64 b may be engagedwith one another via a nose plate 63, which may also serve to engage theforward ends of the left and right plates 62 a, 62 b with one or moredivider mounting tabs 25. The divider mounting tabs 25 may be engagedwith and left and right plates 62 a, 62 b, such that the left and rightplates 62 a, 62 b, and left and right legs 64 a, 64 b may possess therequired structural integrity for the application of the narrow row headunit 100.

In another illustrative embodiment of a narrow row head unit 100, aframe 60 may be configured such that the right plate 62 b, right leg 64b, and right mounting tab 66 b are positioned on the right side of apair of stalk rolls 16 (and wherein the right mounting tab 66 b issecured to the gearbox mounting surface 46 of a right gearbox 40 b) andthe left plate 62 a, left leg 64 a, and left mounting tab 66 a arepositioned on the left side of that same pair of stalk rolls 16 (andwherein the left mounting tab 66 a is secured to the gearbox mountingsurface 46 of a left gearbox 40 a). The left frame 60 components andright frame 60 components may be mechanically connected to one anothervia the back plate 61. The back plate 61 may in turn be secured to thetop surfaces of both the left and right gearboxes 40 a, 40 b, as shownin FIGS. 3E, 4E, and 5E for the first illustrative embodiment of anarrow row head unit 100. Additionally, the back plate 61 may be formedwith a recess 61 a therein to facilitate proper placement and/or removalof ears of corn from the corn plant and/or to facilitate treatment ofthe corn plant stalk and/or to prevent the corn plant stalk fromentering the harvester.

In the embodiment of a narrow row head unit 100 shown in FIGS. 2A-5D,two back plates 61 adjacent a first frame 60 may simultaneously engageadjacent gearboxes 40 a, 40 b. Referring to FIG. 3E, a first back plate61 (positioned below a second back plate 61 in the orientation shown inFIG. 3E) may be positioned on the left side of a first frame 60 (orfirst narrow row head unit 100) and the right side of an adjacent secondframe 60 or second narrow row head unit 100 (not shown, but which secondframe 60 would be positioned below the first frame 60 in the orientationshown in FIG. 3E). The first back plate 61 may be engaged with both aright gearbox 40 b and the left gearbox 40 a with respect to the firstframe 60 via the left and right mounting tabs 66 a, 66 b and/or directlyvia bolting the back plate 61 to the top surface of the gearboxes 40 a,40 b. From the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that the left gearbox 40 a of the first narrowrow head unit 100 may also serve as the right gearbox 40 b of anadjacent narrow head unit 100 (positioned below the first frame 60 inthe orientation shown in FIG. 3E, which would be to the right of firstframe 60 from the vantage of the operator of the harvester).Accordingly, the right gearbox 40 b of the first narrow row head unit100 may also serve as the left gearbox 40 a of an adjacent narrow rowhead unit 100 (positioned above the first frame 60 in the orientationshown in FIG. 3E, which would be to the left of the first frame 60 fromthe vantage of the operator of the harvester).

The second back plate 61 (positioned above the first back plate 61 inthe orientation shown in FIG. 3E) may be engaged with both the rightgearbox 40 b associated with a first narrow row head unit 100 and a leftgearbox 40 associated with a third, adjacent frame 60 (or narrow rowhead unit 100), wherein the right gearbox 40 b of the third narrow rowhead unit 100 may be positioned adjacent to the gearbox right side 42 bof the right gearbox 40 b of the first narrow row head unit 100.Affixing a frame 60 and/or back plate 61 to both a left and rightgearbox 40 a, 40 b of a given frame 60 and/or narrow row head unit 100may add strength and torsional rigidity to a header 10 comprised of aplurality of narrow row head units 100. Additionally, the overlappingconfiguration of back plates 61 with respect to left and right gearboxes40 a, 40 b, as well as the configuration of a left gearbox 40 a of afirst narrow row head unit 100 serving as the right gearbox 40 b of asecond adjacent narrow row head unit 100 and the right gearbox 40 b ofthe first narrow row head unit 100 serving as the left gearbox 40 a of athird adjacent narrow row head unit 100 may increase the structuralintegrity of each narrow row head unit 100 and a header 10 configuredwith multiple narrow row head units 100.

Additionally, this configuration may allow for manipulation of thedirection that the gathering chain 30 rotates depending on the positionof the narrow row head unit 100 with respect to the center member 102.The illustrative embodiment of a center member 102 shown in FIGS. 6A-6Fmay be configured such that it is generally symmetrical about a verticalplan positioned between the left and right plates 62 a, 62 b of thecenter member 102. Generally, the center member 102 may cooperate withan adjacent left-hand narrow row head unit 100 on one side and anadjacent right-hand narrow row head unit 100 on the other side.Accordingly, a gathering chain 30 and associated components may not berequired on the center member 102. However, it is contemplated that itmay be advantageous for the center member 102 to include two opposingear guides 20, which opposing ear guides 20 are mirror images of oneanother. Accordingly, the center member 102 may be configured such thatit substantially comprises the right side of a narrow row head unit 100positioned on the right of the center member 102 and left side of anarrow row head unit 100 positioned on the left of the center member102.

As previously described, it is contemplated that the configuration ofthe narrow row head unit 100 shown in FIGS. 3A-5D will optimally bepositioned to the right of a center member 102 (from the vantage of theoperator of the harvester). As shown in FIGS. 6A-6F, the various narrowrow head unit 100, components thereof, frame 60, and/or componentsthereof may be analogous for narrow row head units 100 positioned oneither side of the center member 102 such that they are mirror image ofone another. Accordingly, in light of the present disclosure, those ofordinary skill in the art will understand that references to elementssuch as “left and right plates 62 a, 62 b”; “left and right legs 64 a,64 b”; “left and right mounting tabs 66 a, 66 b”; etc. are relative, andtherefore may be inverted depending on the position of the narrow rowhead unit 100 with respect to the center member 102 and/or operator ofthe harvester.

In an illustrative embodiment of a frame 60, a right plate 62 b, rightleg 64 b, and/or right mounting tab 66 b (and/or support plate 65) mayextend from the back plate 61. A right mounting tab 66 b may be securedto a gearbox 40 a, 40 b (which gearbox 40 a, 40 b may be positionedadjacent to the right gearbox 40 b at the gearbox right side 42 b), anda right plate 62 b and right leg 64 b (and/or support plate 65) mayextend outward from an area adjacent the gearbox 40 a, 40 b. As acorollary, a left plate 62 a and leg 64 a may extend outward from theback plate 61 in an area adjacent the left mounting tab 66 a, as bestshown in FIG. 5C.

An illustrative embodiment of complete frames 60 and their relevantcomponents for the illustrative embodiment of a narrow row head unit 100are shown from the bottom surface in FIG. 6C. As previously mentioned,multiple narrow row head units 100 may be mounted adjacent one anotheron a lower beam 14 to form a header 10. The narrow row head units 100mounted left-of-center on the header 10 (i.e., to the right of a centermember 102 from the vantage of the operator of the harvester) may beconfigured such as those pictured in FIGS. 2A-5D, and thoseright-of-center (i.e., to the left of a center member 102 from thevantage of the operator of the harvester) may be configuredsubstantially as mirror images of those pictured in FIGS. 2A-5D.Although the illustrative embodiment of a frame 60 as pictured hereinincludes left and right plates 62 a, 62 b and left and right legs 64 a,64 b, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited. The optimalconfiguration and/or components included in the frame 60 will vary fromone embodiment of the narrow row head unit 100 to the next. Accordingly,any structure and/or method configured to support all or part of thecomponents required for that specific embodiment of the narrow row headunit 100 will be part of the scope of the present disclosure withoutlimitation. For example, in some embodiments of a frame 60 the right andleft legs 64 a, 64 b may not be required for the frame 60 to possess thedesired structural integrity, and in other embodiments the support arm68 may not be required.

The narrow row head unit 100 disclosed herein may be configured toharvest crops in rows with twelve-inch spacing or less. In otherembodiments the narrow row head unit 100 may be configured to harvestcrops in rows with 10-inch spacing or less, depending at least upon thetype of drive sprocket 34 and idler sprocket 36 used. Accordingly, thescope of the present disclosure is not limited by the specific rowspacing for which the narrow row head unit 100 is configured.

The narrow row head unit 100 may be configured with one or more actuatedstripper plates 18′, an illustrative mechanism for which is best shownin FIGS. 6C, 7A, and 7B. In the illustrative embodiment, the actuatedstripper plate 18′ may generally be positioned adjacent the left side ofa frame 60 positioned to the right-of-center on the header 10 andadjacent the right side of a frame 60 positioned to the left-of-centeron the header 10. However, the scope of the present disclosure is in noway limited by the specific position and/or configuration of theactuated stripper plate 18′. The illustrative embodiment of an actuatedstripper plate 18′ shown in FIGS. 7A & 7B is configured on a frame 60that may be optimally positioned on right side of a header 10 (from thevantage of the operator of the harvester).

The actuated stripper plate 18′ may be formed with a recess 18 a′therein and a finger slot 18 b′ therein. The position of the actuatedstripper plate 18′ in the vertical dimension with respect to the stalkrolls 16 may be determined by the chain guide 27 and the engagement ofthe chain guide 27, actuated stripper plate 18′, and respective plate 62a, 62 b. Accordingly, the actuated stripper plate 18′ may be configuredto move toward or away from the cooperating stripper plate 18 in a planeextending along the width of the stripper plate 18.

One or more actuators 110 may be engaged with a center member support104, as best shown in FIG. 6C. It is contemplated that for manyapplications it will be advantageous to use hydraulic actuators 110, butthe scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the type ofactuator 110 used, and extends to all types, including but not limitedto hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, and/or combinations thereof. Theactuator 110 may engage a rod 112 on a distal end of the actuator 110with respect to the center member support 104. In the illustrativeembodiment, a rod 112 may extend along either half of the header 10 andbe configured to affect the position of actuated stripper plates 18′ onthat half of the header 10, respectively. Accordingly, a first actuator110 may be engaged with one rod 112 on one side of the center membersupport 104 and a second actuator 110 may be engaged with another rod112 on the opposite side of the center member support 104 such that theactuated stripper plates 18′ on the left side of the header 10 may beactuated independently of those on the right side. In embodiments of thenarrow row head unit 100 having support arms 68, the rod 112 may passthrough an aperture 68 c formed in the support arm 68, as shown in FIG.5B. This may prevent the rod 112 from bending and/or buckling underlarge forces primarily along the length of the rod 112.

Each rod 112 may be engaged with one or more arms 114, wherein each arm114 may be associated with one actuated stripper plate 18′,respectively. The interface between the rod 112 and the arm 114 may beat an arm bushing 114 a, which may be configured to allow the end of thearm adjacent the rod 112 to pivot about a specific position along thelength of the rod 112. Opposite the arm bushing 114 a the arm 114 may beengaged with a rotator 115 via the rotator 115 passing through an armslot 114 c formed in the end of the arm 114 opposite the arm bushing 114a. In the illustrative embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the armslot 114 c may be generally rectangular so as to interface with agenerally rectangular periphery of the rotator 115. The arm 114 may beformed with an arm recess 114 b positioned between the arm bushing 114 aand the arm slot 114 c to accommodate close proximity between the arm114 and the adjacent stalk roll 16,

The rotator 115 may be pivotally engaged with a plate 62 a, 62 b aboutone or more rotator tabs 62 aa, 62 bb. A finger 116 may also be engagedwith the rotator 115 about a first end of the finger 116. In theillustrative embodiment, this engagement is accomplished in a mannersimilar to that between the arm 114 and the rotator 115, wherein thefirst end of the finger 116 is formed with a finger slot 116 b thereinthrough which a portion of the rotator 115 may pass. A finger distal end116 a may extend generally upward from the finger slot 116 b and/orrotator 115 through a finger slot 62 aa′, 62 bb′ formed in the plate 62a, 62 b and engage the finger slot 18 b′ formed in the actuated stripperplate 18′.

As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light ofthe present disclosure, as an actuator 110 extends, the correspondingrod 112 moves away from the center member support 104. This causes thearm bushing 114 a to move in that same direction, which causes therotator 115 to pivot with respect to the rotator tabs 62 aa, 62 bb. Ifthe actuated stripper plate 18′ is toward the left-of-center (as theactuated stripper plate 18′ shown in FIGS. 7A & 7B), the rotator 115turns clockwise from the perspective of a crop to be harvested. If theactuated stripper plate 18′ is toward the right-of-center from that sameperspective, the rotator 115 turns counterclockwise. The pivoting motionof the rotator 115 causes the finger distal end 116 a to move toward thecenter of the header 10 (and, consequently toward the correspondingstripper plate 18 on that narrow row head unit 100). Accordingly,retraction of the actuator 110 causes the rotators 115 to turn in theopposite direction, thereby causing the finger distal end 116 a to moveaway from the center of the header 10 (and away from the correspondingstripper plate 18). This motion of the finger distal end 116 a may becommunicated to the actuated stripper plate 18′ via the engagementbetween the finger slot 18 b′ and the finger distal end 116 a. A recess18 a′ may be formed in the actuated stripper plate 18′ to allow theactuated stripper plate 18′ to move along the previously described planewithout interfering with the idler block 37.

Optimizing all the critical speed ratios, as required by high-speed,high-yield, and/or harvesting in leaning, lodged, or broken plantconditions, may require the effective circumferential speed andinteraction of the multi-length, multi-angled, multi-fluted, multi-vanedstalk rolls 16. Applicant understands that the various speed ratios areinterrelated and effective row unit designs must recognize andincorporate these varied speed ratios to ensure corn plant(s) remainvertical or lean slightly toward the header 10 upon engagement.Harvesting corn plants in this manner promotes ear separation in theappropriate position of the narrow row head unit 100 and away from thefront thereof. Although the illustrative embodiments of a narrow rowhead unit 100 disclosed herein are generally optimized for harvestingcorn plants, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited, andthe narrow row head unit 100 may be configured to harvest any suitablecrop, including but not limited to grains, beans, legumes, and/or anyother crop without limitation.

The gathering chains 30 may be formed with enlarged paddles 32, whichmay help to direct the corn plants and/or ears of corn toward theharvester. The corn plants may be further centered into between adjacentnarrow row head units 100 by stripper plates 18, dividers 11 a, and/orear guide tabs 24 described in detail above. Enlarged paddles 32 mayhave an increased angle relative to the gathering chain 30, which allowthe paddles 32 to engage a larger number of corn plants than traditionalpaddles 32, especially when harvesting leaning and/or lodged corn.Additionally, enlarged paddles 32 may increase the conveying capacity ofthe narrow row head unit 100.

The narrow row head unit 100 and various elements thereof may beconstructed of any material known to those skilled in the art that isappropriate for the specific application thereof. For example, steel,metallic alloys, synthetic materials, natural materials, combinationsthereof, and/or any other suitable material may be used withoutlimitation.

It should be noted that the narrow row head unit 100 is not limited tothe specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intendedto apply to all similar methods and apparatuses for harvesting cropswith row spacing equal to or less than twelve inches. Accordingly,modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occurto those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scopeof the narrow row head unit 100. It is understood that the narrow rowhead unit 100 as disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternativecombinations of one or more of the individual features mentioned orevident from the text and/or drawings. All of these differentcombinations constitute various alternative aspects of the narrow rowhead unit 100. The embodiments described herein explain the best modesknown for practicing the narrow row head unit 100 and will enable othersskilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to be construedto include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

Having described the preferred embodiments, other features, advantages,and/or efficiencies of the narrow row head unit 100 will undoubtedlyoccur to those versed in the art, as will numerous modifications andalterations of the disclosed embodiments and methods, all of which maybe achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the narrowrow head unit 100.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of reducing the distance between afirst and a second narrow row head unit, said method comprising: a.positioning said first narrow row head unit adjacent said second narrowrow head unit; b. outfitting said first narrow row head unit with an earguide, wherein said ear guide is formed with an ear guide channel on aninterior portion thereof, wherein said ear guide channel faces a firstgathering chain on said first narrow row head unit, and wherein said earguide channel is sized and shaped to allow a portion of a paddle engagedwith said first gathering chain to travel along a length of said earguide channel; and, c. allowing a paddle engaged with a second gatheringchain on said second narrow row head unit to cooperate with an externalsurface of said ear guide to urge an ear of corn toward a harvester,wherein said first and second gathering chains rotate in the samedirection.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said ear guide isfurther defined as being engaged with a top surface of a frame of saidfirst narrow row head unit.
 3. The method according to claim 2 whereinsaid frame is further defined as a left and right leg and a left andright plate, and wherein said ear guide is further defined as beingengaged with said left plate.
 4. The method according to claim 2 whereinsaid frame is further defined as a left and right leg and a left andright plate, and wherein said ear guide is further defined as beingengaged with said right plate.
 5. The method according to claim 3wherein said first gathering chain is further defined as beingpositioned primarily above said right plate.
 6. The method according toclaim 4 wherein said first gathering chain is further defined as beingpositioned primarily above said left plate.
 7. The method according toclaim 3 wherein said ear guide channel is further defined as beingconfigured to allow said distal portion of said paddle engaged with saidfirst gathering chain to be positioned in and travel along a length ofsaid ear guide channel when said paddle is moving in a direction from arearward portion of said narrow row head unit to a forward portionthereof.